Ain't Normal Cafe

It was advertised as a Turmeric Latte. Didn't have it. Instead, I was served with attitude, with no room to heat up a frittata, and all the workers seemed upset to have customers, despite a line out the door. You could feel the opposite of hospitality. Maybe Ain't Normal must mean... no normal interactions, bad attitudes, and cold frittatas. Grits are good. Hence the 2

Delicious babaganoush toast! Also maybe the best scone I've ever had. Great place to study or work if you have a full charge. No outlet and music is a bit loud, but there's free wifi and bathroom. Minimal indoor seating. It's a bit expensive but worth it.

Very limited sitting inside, but lots of outside seating on the corner of Miles and College Ave. For highly discerning mocha connoisseurs, the mocha here will rank about a 4/5. For the rest of humanity, this is a 4.7/5 mocha. You’ll be satisfied either way. Going to try their egg and biscuit next, which is only really available before 11 AM

Strong espresso, nice curated drinks, and an extensive selection of wine and champagne sold to-go. Sandwiches appear to be thoughtfully crafted, and are a cinch to grab to go. Perfect as you’re near the train. Pricing is premium, par for the course at this big corner. Music is solid, staff are cued in to their work and having fun.

Potentially the best coffee shop in the entire Bay area. They're serving some of the highest quality beans you can find. If you are into specialty coffee there is simply not a better place to go. The pricees can be high but they match the high quality and are completely valid. It's amazing to see people complain about an extra dollar for oat milk, etc. I imagine these same people have no issue dropping 18 bucks on a glass from a $13 a bottle of grocery store wine at dinner. This place is a gem.

Exceptional coffee and delicious food options, friendly staff and a great spot to hang out.

This is a really special spot. First, the coffee: they source excellent high quality beans from a variety of interesting roasters. Beans from as far away as Korea or the Netherlands are ALWAYS fresh. Seriously, I've never pulled a stale bag from their shelves. They also have a lovely collection of teas. I've eaten several nibbles from the cafe and they are always straightforward and delicious. Finally, they have a fun assortment of wines on offer, with thoughtful tasting notes. I've attended a wine pop up here and it was lively with -of course- great wines and tasty bites. They know how to highlight the coffee they serve with well executed pour overs and I've enjoyed the rare espresso drink I've ordered as well. Last but not least, the staff is always warm while being incredibly efficient. I never feel rushed and they're always happy to have a quick chat. I'm probably here at least once per week. This place is a true Oakland gem.

Coffee was good. Pastry was a bit too greasy

Great iced coffee. Nice outdoor seating area (if under the highway and BART, but that also means it is conveniently located). I've always had great service but could see friction for some. Some laptop action indoors at 2-top tables. The scones are really what bring me in... the right texture and crumble, and usually a compelling mix of sweet and savory scones on offer. Have yet to make it to the sandwiches, but they do look nice.

One of the few cafes in Oakland that gets everything right. Sunny place to sit, close to the train, excellent curating of the coffee they serve and hospitality focused baristas to execute their drinks. They also have a great selection of natural wines to be enjoyed on site or taken to go. What's not to like?

I wanted to come here because I saw the line flowing out the door and I heard great things about it. But when I ordered an iced latte with lavender syrup, all I could taste was 90% milk and a splash of coffee. The lavender was so subtle that I forgot that I was drinking a lavender latte. I was in a rush that I couldn't ask them for adjustments, unfortunately, so I had to leave with very mediocre coffee.

My latte had coffee grounds in it which was a big bummer for how much they charge. At least the latte tasted okay, partially due to the perfect milk foam texture. However, I've been giving this business the benefit of the doubt after some recent, less than mediocre experiences and it was very disappointing to get a mouthful of bitter grounds. I regret tipping :(

Solid latte! The size and quality of the coffee is totally worth the price. House made vanilla bay syrup made for a delectable latte. Totally recommend! Cute sticker too.

The coffee was great but I believe I got food poisoning from expired food. On 11/15 I had coffee and a charcuterie pack (the mild salami one) with a sell-by date of 11/1; I didn't realize it was two weeks past until I'd nearly finished it. Later that night I developed some cramps, and since then I've had full-blown food poisoning symptoms that have kept me home and out of work; I haven't eaten anything else unusual. While there, and after I noticed the issue, I mentioned to an employee that this and other charcuterie packs were two weeks past their sell-by date, but they didn't seem to care.

I got the standard espresso and their specialty espresso (+$2 upcharge). Both were very good. The specialty was a darker roast, smooth, not bitter or acidic, and had good chocolate and nutty flavor coming through (5/5). Their standard blend was a lighter roast, slightly more acidic (4/5). Would definitely come back.

iced chai is kind of bland but they have air conditioning which is a godsend. standard order at counter service, shop is packed with goodies for sale like sardines and coffee ware. would've sat down but it was too crowded

Had high expectations for this place but I paid $8 my matcha that didn't fill the cup, and mostly milk in both drinks.

the matcha is overpriced for the quality and ratio; you pay 8$ for milk, basically. the cute stuff they sell lights up the place somewhat. they don't really keep track of allergens well and both times i came they mixed unlabeled drinks up on the counter. it will do in dire straits; on one's way to the airport for example. but whatever one gets at the airport will be just about matched in price anyway. location, location, i guess.

I absolutely LOVE this place. It's my favorite cafe on the College strip. Their food is FIRE. Let me just get straight into it, their Grits though? Chefs kiss. With an added jammy egg, is it worth it? I do declare. Cappuccinos and Lattes always on point, they have pretty good baked goods here and lunch sammies that look so good. Beware for there are lines alot of the time that spiral out into the block, and while I usually abhor that type of thing, SOMETIMES just sometimes I will wait in the line for my grits if the morning calls for such. The service here is a mixed lot but nonetheless prompt, you get the counter people who couldn't be bothered and then you get the cool ones who ask what you're reading if they see your book. It doesn't really bother me, working at a cafe is hard work and also, these in my opinion, are essential workers because it is essential for me to get coffee in the mornings and they are the ones slinging my juice! Visit this place and try the food. Ain't normal and I'm always in the mood! (Whatever you do, do not get a matcha here though, they do NOT know how to make matcha to save their lives.)

室内空间小，仅有几张矮桌、几个面向街道的吧台位及一条稍高些的木质"站台"，户外区域才是人们向往的最佳座位，虽然十字路口的车流较大，但晴朗的春日午后，沐浴在温暖的阳光下，其实并不觉吵闹，丝毫不会影响野餐般的惬意氛围 讨论度较高的几家咖啡烘豆商的产品，在这里都能买到，还有海鲜罐头、芝士熏肉拼盘和自然酒，吃饱喝足后，再浅浅进个货 酥皮点心和酸种欧包来自伯克利老牌Acme Bread Company，不失为保质保量的安全选择，午餐时段有法棍三明治，附近La Farine面包房做的法棍是我心中的东湾之最 Cappuccino 浓缩的品质不错，刚入口时还觉得有些平淡，浓度会慢慢地展现，酸苦均衡，苦味略突出，酸则属于后来居上，奶泡绵密，但融合度稍差，前半段分层明显，好在整体柔顺流畅 Mocha 甜、苦、酸按顺序依次出现，在腻与淡之间找到了平衡，轻薄中又不失醇香 Matcha Latte 鲜少有咖啡馆愿意选择品质上乘的抹茶粉作为原材料，也并不想为抹茶饮花心思，更突显出了这杯抹茶拿铁的含金量，宇治丸久小山园松柏，与奶特别适配，比较圆润的清苦，虽为薄茶，却带着些浓郁，融合度贼棒，从始至终都很顺滑，后期口留余香，毫无涩感，很喜欢！ Savory Scone Jalapeño｜Pecorino｜Cheddar 外表烤出了一层脆壳，边缘已形成薄薄的焦化芝士脆片，整体的醒发并不好，内部吃起来有些绵绵烂烂的感觉，但墨西哥辣椒的辛香绝了，与意大利绵羊奶酪的浓香、以及咸甜交错的调味一起，碰撞出了更美味的配搭效果 Butter Toast Sourdough｜Maldon Salt｜Jam｜Jammy Egg 老牌面包房的实力不容小觑，做出的酸种让人吃了还想吃，外壳偏薄，烘烤的火候和时间都非常厉害，酥酥脆脆，完全不硬，触碰到内部面包体的瞬间，感受到蓬松柔软，咀嚼之后发现其实还蛮有厚度的，弹性也足 用黄油煎至表面焦脆，轻轻一碰就往外滋油，真的太香太香，可惜海盐片撒多了，咸得很，店里的自制果酱有特色，清新自然的酸甜，伴随着浓郁的肉桂香气，跟梨子的沙质口感很配，溏心水煮蛋虽然缺少了流动性，但进嘴后还是保持了黏黏糊糊的状态，好棒！

They charge extra $1.75 for half-caf.!!! That most definitely Ain't Normal. Penalizing people who are sensitive to caffeine or are trying to wean themselves from caffeine dependency but still want so enjoy coffee sometimes. Is it really that much more work to scoop some decaf to mix with regular espresso?! Most cafés don't charge extra for half-caf, and the ones that do charge a maximum of $1 extra.

Great people and good stuff to eat and drink. A good place to chill with a friend.definitely a good place to grab a coffee or something more.

The coffee was great! I ordered a cappuccino and was impressed by the strength and smoothness of the coffee. I also enjoyed the fact that this establishment has a wide variety of coffee beans, teas, coffeemakers, and cafè-themed attire to choose from; all from local vendors. The service was not great. The barista/cashier who assisted me was quite abrupt. However, we all have bad days. I would still return!

Wanted to give this place a try because had heard good things about it from friends. There was a line out the door which is usually a sign of a good spot. However, we were really off put by the unfriendly vibe of the person working the register. Pretty unwelcoming and seemed annoyed with us taking time to decide. The drink menu was pretty limited with no specialty drinks, so I went for a regular iced latte. I expected it to be good due to the limited menu but it was just ok. Nothing to write home about. The real star of the show here is the food. I ordered the ricotta toast with seasonal fruit and oh my goshhhh it was delicious!!! The bread was thick, but not too dense and perfectly fluffy. The candied nuts on top gave a really nice crunch and the fruit had a tartness that balanced out the sweetness of the ricotta. They also have a really great ham puff pastry that is also delicious. My boyfriend had the cheesy grits that were actually insane. overall the coffee is just average, would hate to judge a place based off of one unfriendly employee but what can i say... first impressions matter!!! the food is really something special and would warrant this place a 5 star review if it weren't for the coffee and service lacking. even for berkeley, the prices are pretty high which is unfortunate because i'd definitely be coming back more if it was less pricy.

I'm sure this place has good other treats and coffeee... matcha latter was not it. Tastes like straight milk, barely any matcha flavor in it.

So many options. Best scone I've had in a year? Tons of variety on the coffee and food front. Come here for retail coffee to find rare and unique sources and roasts. Just enough space to enjoy a quick bite. Not a place to do any focus work or work. Loud. Social. Small. No dedicated parking. Has restroom.

Great place. Nice outdoor seating area. Some indoor seating but limited. Service was great and my espresso was perfect. The sign on the door said they served sandwiches starting at 8 am but I was there at 8:30 and they said they hadn't sliced the meat yet so couldn't sell me one. So, minus one star for not having the product but star added back because they slice their own meat. I'll be back.

This is a small coffee shop with not much seating inside, but an outdoor space for people to sit in. It was particularly interesting with all the tin fish and wine. They served us quickly and the coffee was good. The staff was really friendly. Now I have to go on about how much I love the avocado toast. The sourdough was so yummy and the balance of vinegar and lemon juice with the salt delicious. It was also very filling. My only complaint is that our Matcha wasn't super mixed well. But when we brought the drink to them and asked for them to adjust it, they were more than happy to.

This is a two-star review because I do think they make good espresso drinks and the selection of beans is outstanding. I also love the outdoor seating and I genuinely want this cafe to thrive. What I would strongly suggest to the owners is to offer a free espresso or coffee for every bag of of beans purchased. This is not too much to ask especially when the mark-up is averaging 15-20% of what you can get directly from the roasters. This is standard practice for many other cafes in the neighborhood.

The have the best lattes and the absolute BEST smoked trout toast I've ever experienced. My daughter and I absolutely love this place. Service is fast and friendly, location always clean inside and out. There is usually a small line, but that only speaks to the quality this small coffee shop pushes out. Truly a gem.

We tried several delicious pastries, including savory tomato with pesto, chives with cheddar scones, and the breakfast egg biscuit. My favorite is the grits with chorizo! The place is busy around 8:30 AM, with locals getting their coffee, but the service is fast. I'm returning for more grits ! Forgot to take photos of the other pastries and grits.

Rude customer service, it sure why is so popular, latte was burnt and had very little flavor

This café is a favorite of mine and my friends -- the coffee is excellent, the staff is always friendly, and the sunny seating area makes it a lovely place to hang out. I genuinely enjoy coming here. However today I was quite disappointed to be charged $3 just to swap regular milk for half-and-half in my latte. It felt unfair, especially since milk and half & half cost almost the same. I left the coffee shop with the feeling that l was taken advantage of! This charge doesn't really make sense and has not logic. I hope they don't do this to anyone else, $0.50 o maybe a $1 is more than enough for that!

My go to spot for Matcha when I'm in the area. I get Iced Matcha with Oatmilk & sweetened with simple syrup. Simple order but so good! (They also actually sift the matcha so def plus) The ambiance is cute little cafe with more sitting outside:)

I usually give places a couple chances before writing a one star review, unfortunately this place disappointed enough to go ahead and write one after just a single visit. The employee working the front wasn't in a great mood and wasn't doing a great job of making people feel welcome. No biggie everyone has an off day but for the sake of this experience I'm including everything. Ordered a decaf vanilla latte with regular milk and it came out to $8. Listen I understand, I live in the Bay Area and I love it but this is a bit too much for the quality and size. To top it off it barely tasted of vanilla so I asked the barista for some more vanilla syrup and they gave me a literal 3 drops of what was left in their already empty bottle. Left me thinking "really?" Awful awful awful. I'm sure other people love it here and maybe I had a one off experience but it's enough to not come back.

When in Oakland, this is the place to go for coffee if you're looking for a great variety of roasters to buy! We had an espresso that was absolutely delicious and perfectly dialed in. We also ordered a cold brew, which I also found very satisfying to the palate! While I only took a brief look around, I am pretty sure they also sold some tea stuff and other items as well. They have some seats inside but can get filled quickly. Service was also great! Would love to come back here next time I'm in Oakland!

probably the best high end, full service, gentro style coffee shop in Oakland proper. Excellent multiroaster program, and food that is surprisingly good! Best (and most loaded) avocado toast I have had in a long time, and in general people love the shmancy (and pricy) plates. Bonus points for out of this world baba ganoush, vegan options, and still serving soy milk (which continues to be the actual best barista milk, despite the oat mafia :-) ).

Ain't normal is wild, punk rock, artsy, and Oakland all encompassing classy acts of coffee and tea for anyone. All are welcome here and no pressure, if you have questions just ask and get educated. Not only are they a multi-roaster (this means multiple drip and espresso options/rotating purveyors) the feels are unique here. From the artwork on the yellow cups to the Informative baristas, you're definitely going to have a tasty cup of coffee. Seating options are better outside and you're in the heart of rockridge, so enjoy it! - I have yet to try some of the teas or bites on the menu, but I truly enjoy stopping in when I'm nearby. Lastly, if you want to take home some of the newest or up and coming coffees in the biz, check out their unique selection of beans for sale as well as beautiful accessories for your home brewing pleasure.

My partner and I were spending the day wandering the neighborhood. I got a pastry at La Farine (delicious, so friendly, no seats so took it to go). My partner wanted a coffee and a bag of beans so we came here. We sat down while they made his pour over and I ate my pastry. My partner was told that was not allowed. What? There were plenty of tables, we had spent a good amount of money. Next to us were multiple people on their laptops, potentially there for hours on one drink. Also they didn't have pastries so I wasn't denying them business. So much for a community neighborhood spirit. Terrible customer service, even worse vibes. Won't be back.

Yummy latte and avocado toast. Order at the counter - easy peasy. Plenty of outdoor seating.

Love this spot they have the best coffee in town and the food is amazing I love their toast with mascarpone spread w/berries and I love their Sammie's perfect on the go bite, the out door seating it's one of my favorite places to hang out and I have to shout out the Ain't Normal crew you guys do a great job best costumer service in town!

The coffee is good but $6 for a 12oz? (Regular latte with whole milk no syrups). I have been twice and the first time there was a long line out the door and the second time a much shorter line. The coffee is super good and I think it's a great place to go on the weekend and sit outside if it's nice! I don't think it'll be my go to coffee place though because of the price. The scones were also $6 just a little high.

Went this morning, excited to try this cafe for the first time because we enjoyed it at the coffee fest. TBH pour overs were mid and the mocha was slightly too tangy/sour. Food was much better than the coffee. Cafe does offer great beans on retail and variety of menu options BUT the baristas are honestly really snobby and lack basic hospitality. We're from the Bay Area and are very well experienced in the cafe scene, and this ain't inclusive and ain't normal. How does this place have 4.8 stars?

The coffee is good, and the location and outside seating is nice, but the upcharge for a Breve latte, stopped me going back there. Most small shops will charge an extra 75 cents to a dollar for half and half, but the $3.00 Aint Normal charges is too much. Perhaps the real goal is to keep us sniveling, pretentious Breve Latte drinkers away. I can well understand that. But what would the corking fee be, if I brought my own half and half, or better yet ...full cream?

There's a reason why there is a line out the door at certain times of the day. Luckily, I got there close to opening, which meant that I didn't have to wait in any lines. I ended up getting an egg sandwich and a latte. Of note, if you end up eating inside, they have reusable mugs. The egg sandwich was only okay I think it was around $8 for a biscuit with an egg and very heavy on the aioli. It was a decent sandwich but I think I'm would have gotten food elsewhere. I didn't have a chance to try any of the pastries so those might be my next try. In regards to the coffee it was very solid. A good mixture of the creamy milk and the slightly bitter espresso. Didn't seem like it was too foamy and no beverage but just enough that it was satisfying. Overall, a place to grab my morning latte if I ever happen to be in the area again.

Ain't normal cafe really is a AINT NORMAL CAFE, The staff there have the face of annoyance, at first i thought maybe it's just a bad day for them but it's seems like they tend to have that type of face and attitude all the time. Really gives into their store front name. I work at a corporate office near by and two of my colleagues talked about how much they love their coffee and how nice they are so we gave it a try! However my two colleagues look the same as the staff members there at the cafe. It's starting to seems like Ain't normal cafe just isn't for the culture. If you're a person of color most likely you'll get treated differently, my colleagues and i are of color, we went in there a few times and observed the kind of service we get when it comes to people that look like us vs others that don't. And well we didn't have much of the great experience there. Just wanted to share our time there and a reminder that not everyone will have the same experience as us. Happy drinking! xx

Historically I have never liked coffee. But Ain't normal has changed that for me. I've slowly been experiencing coffee here and every time I have gone in here, the staff go out of their way to help me understand what I am drinking why it tastes how it does, and even explain the complexities of grinding and brewing methodologies. I have now been coming around once a week for the last few months. And it all started with a Cortado the barista made for me, and they even told me they wanted to make sure THEY made it for me when they checked me out to make sure I enjoyed it (though I'm sure the other baristas would have made it great.) Their service is immpecable every time we go. One time the owner even went out of his way to try and comfort our screaming two year old to help give my wife some peace over her coffee. He brought my son stickers and treats. And the food. Oh the food. The biscuit sando I bought this morning was hands down the best biscuit I have ever had. Their capicola and brie sandwich is exquisite in its simplicity. And every time I leave, I have a new song to add to my spotify playlist. As far as neighborhood coffee spots go, we have hit the jackpot. And the name is right. In this day and era service and quality of this kind ain't normal.

I think the accusation that A.N. is pricey because it's too profit oriented is unfounded- especially if they pay employees a decent wage. Small businesses operate on tiny margins and to suggest they ought to "negotiate lower rent" is glib and naive. Independent cafes higher prices are the result of inflation not the cause. That said, I did have an unfortunate experience at A.N. when I was charged extra for a half decafe latte without being forewarned. Another time I waited to order for a long time without anyone acknowledging my existence. Very good coffee and a comfortable outdoor patio ups my rating to 4 stars.

I enjoyed my cappuccino and pastry. Service and space great. As a small business owner, I completely understand the increase in prices. I am seeing inflation on my supplies, insurance, licensing , etc... Skyrocket. One 1/2 oz product increase of $20. Do what you need to do to survive. If you don't like the prices, make your own coffee.

Came here for a coffee date with a friend. Cute little shop in Oakland with savory pastries, scones, avocado toast, etc. and various coffee drinks. Ordered a potato and Asiago pastry and a matcha latte with almond milk. The pastry was good (wish there was notice of there being cilantro in it) and the matcha latte was more on the bitter side (as opposed to sweet). - Parking is limited to street parking (signs nearby mention to not park in the Trader Joe's parking lot) - Shop is small with one counter with three seats, and three two-person tables

Visiting here is a must. The staff are delightful and helpful, the coffee always perfect and the grits...I have braved the bridge more than once for a lovely bowl of southern comfort. Just go. You will be delighted.

Was heading over to Brentwood via Antioch, where my friend was picking me up and needed some coffee as a morning pick me up. I have passed by numerous times but the lines were super long, however this morning it was manageable. I ordered an iced cortado and it took around 12 mins. The wait wasn't bad, as there were a good amount of people and the food offering looked tasty. Would want to try all the sandwiches, nibble boards and cans of fish on a lazy morning. With indoor and outdoor seats, and being close to all major transportation, I would go again.

This post is long overdue! This is one of my fav cafes in this neighborhood. They make the drinks with highest quality ingredients, but give you choices to make it affordable. I love mine with organic HH and each time the friendly staff always inform me re the up-charge. It's my choice and it's fair. Business owners are having a hard time with all the inflation cost on materials and labor. If you want a place with high quality lattes, be fair about the reviews.

One of my favorite cafes. The freshly made scones and pastries are both buttery and tende. I also love the flavor of their coffee, it has a unique almost fruity aroma.

I frequently stop by Ain't Normal Cafe when I want a good cup of coffee. Everyone has always been welcoming and nice. Today I had some time to actually sit down and work there which I never have done. I ordered a cup of coffee and had a small wrap with me. I decided to quickly eat my wrap with my coffee, and did not know that outside food was not allowed. (My bad!) I'm not as upset at the rule, because I get it-- they want people to buy their food, but more upset at the way I was told that there was no outside food allowed. First of all, there is no sign so it was an honest mistake. The worker there came up to me and told me loudly so that everyone around me could hear that no outside food was allowed. I feel like the delivery was deliberately to shame. I should have known that this cafe was like that. There are no outlets either so if you're looking for somewhere to work, maybe find somewhere else.

My date suggested meeting at Ain't Normal Cafe. I had not heard of it, but the reviews were strong, so I took her up on it. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I go with a chai latte. When there are baked goods that other Yelpers rave about, that's what I am drawn to. My date ordered cold brew. I wanted a savory scone, but those were all gone; the only baked good that was left was the Lavender Almond scone. Since it was the early afternoon and Ain't Normal is open until 7 pm, I was a little disappointed there weren't other available options. Still, I figured that if the savory scone is popular, the sweet scone must be a solid choice, too. Sadly, it was nothing special -- and at $6, it was way overpriced. I'm the wrong judge of coffee prices, but $5 for the cold brew also seemed a little high. If someone picks up savory scones from Ain't Normal, I'll give them a try, but I don't have any plans to return.

Prices on menu do not match prices charged (very high compared to area average, and also unethical.) As others have noted, staff has a bit of a sour note to them. Much can be forgiven if the coffee is amazing, but it's pretty meh. Oakland has a million great coffee shops, suggest skipping this one.